RoadVitals

1999 Lexus GS300 Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
38
Latest May 6, 2019
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
13
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
8

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1999 Lexus GS300, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • Brakes1018.9%
  • Suspension713.2%
  • Electrical611.3%
  • Engine47.5%
  • Fuel system35.7%
  • Steering35.7%
  • Transmission23.8%
  • Other / unspecified11.9%
  • Airbags11.9%
  • Powertrain (other)11.9%
  • Seat belts11.9%
  • Tires & wheels11.9%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

13
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

PREPARING TO STOP WHILE ENTERING ACCESS GATE SLOWING TO AROUND 10 - 15 MPH, AFTER APPLYING BRAKE CAR ACCELERATED FORCING ME TO REAPPLY BRAKE AGAIN AND SHIFTING TO PARK. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THAT THIS HIGH LEVEL ACCELERATION HAS HAPPENED ALTHOUGH BEFORE I HAVE NOTICED OCCASIONALLY A LOW LEVEL ACCELERATION WHEN PREPARING TO STOP. *TR

NHTSA ID 10692948 · filed Mar 9, 2015

I HAVE BEEN HAVING ACCELERATION WHEN I BRAKE,GOING FROM 10MPH TO 60MPH IN SECONDS. *JS

NHTSA ID 10661897 · filed Dec 3, 2014
All 13 reports naming driver assistance

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

10
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 LEXUS GS300. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE ABS AND VSC WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, A FUEL ODOR EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE BOOSTER FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 197,000.

NHTSA ID 10926936 · filed Nov 18, 2016

I GOT BRAKES PUT ON AT THE LEXUS OF PALM BEACHES OFF OF OKEECHOBEE BLVD LAST YEAR AND PAID OVER 475 DOLLARS FOR ALL PARTS. AS A RESULT 7 MONTHS LATER MY BRAKES BEGAN TO SQUEAK SO I CALLED THEM AND I WAS NOT ASSISTED WITH NEW PARTS EXCEPT JUST BRAKE SPRAY WHICH IS NOT GOOD. THE PARTS ARE DEFECTIVE AND I HAVE A 1 YEAR WARRANTY WHICH ENDS IN ONE MONTH WHICH I FEEL THAT IS WHY THEY DONT WANT TO FIX IT UNTIL THE WAARANTY IS UP

NHTSA ID 10925572 · filed Nov 12, 2016
All 10 reports naming brakes

Suspension

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.

7
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 LEXUS GS300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE ENTIRE FRONT END DROPPED TO THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE LOWER BALL JOINT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED TWO MONTHS LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO THE MECHANIC AND THE PASSENGER'S SIDE BALL JOINT WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 163,000. RETURNED BY USPS ON 11-19-2013. SECOND ATTEMPT ON 11-20-2013 FAILED. *KB

NHTSA ID 10544668 · filed Sep 20, 2013

WHEN EXCEEDING 60MPH, THE GS 300'S STEERING WHEEL SHAKES AND VIBRATES QUITE NOTICEABLY. THE FASTER YOU ACCELERATE, THE MORE NOTICEABLE THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATES. THIS CAUSES THE THE CAR TO BECOME MORE DIFFICULT TO HANDLE, BRAKE IN A STRAIGHT LINE, SWITCH LANES AND CONTROL WHILE DRIVING IN A CURVE, OVER BUMPS AND AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. EVEN AFTER THE TIRES WERE BALANCED AND ALIGNED, THE NOTICEABLE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATIONS CONTINUED. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE SINCE IT MAKES THE CARE MORE DIFFICULT TO HANDLE DURING EMERGENCY PROCEDURES AND WHEN DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, WHEN THE THE VEHICLE IS BECOMES MORE DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. *TR

NHTSA ID 10442262 · filed Jan 3, 2012

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

6
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

"TAKATA RECALL" ALL DOOR LOCKS MUST BE MANUALLY LOCKED AT EACH DOOR....WINDOWS OPEN AT TIMES WHEN KEY UNLOCKS CAR....BOTH KEYS ARE LOOSE AT THE BASE AND ARE HELD TOGETHER BY TAPE.

NHTSA ID 11205856 · filed May 6, 2019

WHILE CAR NEWLY MADE REMOTE KEY CRANK CAR THAT HAD BEEN SITTING WITHOUT BEING DRIVEN 30 +DAYS , I CRANK CAR AND ALARM SOUNDED AND FLASHING LIGHTS CAME ON AND WOULD NOT TURN OFF WHEN CAR KEY TAKEN OUT OF IGNITION. THEN THE CAR BEGAN TO CRANK ALL BY ITSELF WITHOUT THE KEY EVEN IN THE IGNITION!!! I UNHINGED THE BATTERY CABLES AND THE CAR WRNT DEAD. ALSO SMOKE WAS COMING FROM BACK ENGINE AREA!! I TOWED CAR TO LEXUS DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE STARTER. THE GEAR SHIFT LOCKED AND THE CAR DROVE FOR ABOUT A MONTH WHE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON REPORTING ELECTRICAL/OXYGEN SENSOR CODE. THE CAR STARTED MAKING A CLICKING CHIRPING LOW SOUND COMING FROM BEHIND DASH BOARD. I REPORTED IT TO LEXUS DEALER SERVICE A AGAIN BUT NOTHING DONE ABOUT IT. AN OUTSIDE MECHANIC SAID IT COULD BE AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM OR FAULTY ALTERNATOR.

NHTSA ID 10759614 · filed Aug 26, 2015

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

WHILE CAR NEWLY MADE REMOTE KEY CRANK CAR THAT HAD BEEN SITTING WITHOUT BEING DRIVEN 30 +DAYS , I CRANK CAR AND ALARM SOUNDED AND FLASHING LIGHTS CAME ON AND WOULD NOT TURN OFF WHEN CAR KEY TAKEN OUT OF IGNITION. THEN THE CAR BEGAN TO CRANK ALL BY ITSELF WITHOUT THE KEY EVEN IN THE IGNITION!!! I UNHINGED THE BATTERY CABLES AND THE CAR WRNT DEAD. ALSO SMOKE WAS COMING FROM BACK ENGINE AREA!! I TOWED CAR TO LEXUS DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE STARTER. THE GEAR SHIFT LOCKED AND THE CAR DROVE FOR ABOUT A MONTH WHE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON REPORTING ELECTRICAL/OXYGEN SENSOR CODE. THE CAR STARTED MAKING A CLICKING CHIRPING LOW SOUND COMING FROM BEHIND DASH BOARD. I REPORTED IT TO LEXUS DEALER SERVICE A AGAIN BUT NOTHING DONE ABOUT IT. AN OUTSIDE MECHANIC SAID IT COULD BE AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM OR FAULTY ALTERNATOR.

NHTSA ID 10759614 · filed Aug 26, 2015

SPONTANEOUS ACCELERATION AFTER BRINGING CAR TO A COMPLETE STOP IN A PARKING LOT. VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD ONTO AN ISLAND BEFORE I COULD STOP IT AGAIN. THIS INCIDENT IS RELATED TO A PREVIOUS INCIDENT,ODI NUMBER 10317084, WHICH OCCURRED IN JUNE 2007. *TR

NHTSA ID 10323826 · filed Apr 5, 2010

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 LEXUS GS300. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE ABS AND VSC WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, A FUEL ODOR EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE BOOSTER FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 197,000.

NHTSA ID 10926936 · filed Nov 18, 2016

PREPARING TO STOP WHILE ENTERING ACCESS GATE SLOWING TO AROUND 10 - 15 MPH, AFTER APPLYING BRAKE CAR ACCELERATED FORCING ME TO REAPPLY BRAKE AGAIN AND SHIFTING TO PARK. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THAT THIS HIGH LEVEL ACCELERATION HAS HAPPENED ALTHOUGH BEFORE I HAVE NOTICED OCCASIONALLY A LOW LEVEL ACCELERATION WHEN PREPARING TO STOP. *TR

NHTSA ID 10692948 · filed Mar 9, 2015

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 LEXUS GS300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING 60 MPH OR ABOVE, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD SHAKE EXCESSIVELY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER BUT THE TECHNICIANS WERE NOT ABLE TO DETERMINE WHAT CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 81,000. *TR

NHTSA ID 10526171 · filed Jul 22, 2013

WHEN EXCEEDING 60MPH, THE GS 300'S STEERING WHEEL SHAKES AND VIBRATES QUITE NOTICEABLY. THE FASTER YOU ACCELERATE, THE MORE NOTICEABLE THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATES. THIS CAUSES THE THE CAR TO BECOME MORE DIFFICULT TO HANDLE, BRAKE IN A STRAIGHT LINE, SWITCH LANES AND CONTROL WHILE DRIVING IN A CURVE, OVER BUMPS AND AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. EVEN AFTER THE TIRES WERE BALANCED AND ALIGNED, THE NOTICEABLE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATIONS CONTINUED. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE SINCE IT MAKES THE CARE MORE DIFFICULT TO HANDLE DURING EMERGENCY PROCEDURES AND WHEN DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, WHEN THE THE VEHICLE IS BECOMES MORE DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. *TR

NHTSA ID 10442262 · filed Jan 3, 2012

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Transmission

Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

SPONTANEOUS ACCELERATION AFTER BRINGING CAR TO A COMPLETE STOP IN A PARKING LOT. VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD ONTO AN ISLAND BEFORE I COULD STOP IT AGAIN. THIS INCIDENT IS RELATED TO A PREVIOUS INCIDENT,ODI NUMBER 10317084, WHICH OCCURRED IN JUNE 2007. *TR

NHTSA ID 10323826 · filed Apr 5, 2010

SUDDEN UNEXPECTED ACCELERATION RESULTED IN COLLISION. DRIVER APPLIED BRAKES WITH MAXIMUM FORCE BUT WAS UNABLE TO STOP VEHICLE. DRIVER DID NOT HAVE FOOT ON GAS PEDAL. FLOOR MAT WAS NOT INTERFERING WITH GAS PEDAL. *TR

NHTSA ID 10317084 · filed Mar 5, 2010

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Other / unspecified

Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

ALL 4 RIMS ON VEHICLE WERE BENT. *AK

NHTSA ID 883513 · filed Mar 20, 2001

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION OF 35-40 MPH WITH A TREE AND NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. *AK THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER DECLINED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WITHOUT CHARGE. *YH

NHTSA ID 8005714 · filed Mar 14, 2002

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

IN LATE SEPTEMBER1999 WHILE SITTING IN TRAFFIC WITH THE CAR IN AND MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, THE CAR BEGAN TO ACCELERATE AND SURGED FORWARD. I REACTED IMMEDIATELY BY SHIFTING THE CAR INTO PARK. THIS ALLOWED ME TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE CAR. THE SECOND INCIDENT OCCURRED IN EARLY NOVEMBER 1999, WHEN I CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP A STOP SIGN. AS I APPLIED THE BRAKE, THE CAR ONCE AGAIN ATTEMPTED TO SURGE THROUGH THE INTERSECTION. ANOTHER EPISODE OCCURRED IN EARLY DECEMBER 1999 WHEN I WAS DRIVING MY SON HOME FROM SCHOOL. WE APPROACHED THE INTERSECTION AND I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE. THE CAR SURGED FORWARD SO INTENSELY THAT THE SEAT BELT TIGHTENED AROUND HIM SO TIGHT I WAS UNABLE TO RELEASE HIM. HE WAS COMPLETELY HORRIFIED AND HIS SHOULDER WAS BRUISED WHEN I CUT THE SEAT BELT OFF WHEN WE ARRIVED HOME. AT THAT POINT I CONTACTED LEXUS AND TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP. SHORTLY THEREAFTER I WAS CONTACTED AND TOLD THAT COULD FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. ON APRIL 14, 2003 I WAS STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, WHEN THE CAR BEGAN TO ACCELERATE AND SURGED FORWARD. AS WITH THE PRIOR INCIDENTS I REACTED BY SHIFTING INTO PARK. I CONTACTED LEXUS AGAIN AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT THEY COULD FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. O APRIL 21, 2003 I SENT A LETTER TO [XXX], CEO OF LEXUS SEEKING ASSISTANCE. I HAVE NEVER RECEIVED AN ANSWER AND THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. THEIR HAS BEEN OTHER INCIDENTS OVER THE YEARS. I HAVE LOST CONFIDENCE IN LEXUS ABILITY TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. I STILL OWN THE VEHICLE AND DECIDED TO FILE THE REPORT AFTER SEEING THE COVERAGE OF THIS INCIDENTS ON THE NEWS. THIS PROBLEM GOES BACK YEARS ANY HELP WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. OR PERHAPS SAVE A LIFE. OR EXPAND THE RECALL. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID 10381504 · filed Feb 10, 2011

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Seat belts

Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

THE SAFETY BELT FOR DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE ARE BROKEN. THERE IS NO RESTRAINT, MEANING IT DOESN'T STOP THEREFORE WEARING A SEATBELT IS USELESS. *TR

NHTSA ID 10510153 · filed Apr 30, 2013

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Tires & wheels

Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

WHILE DRIVING ON A FREEWAY AT APPROX 65 MPH I HAD A BLOWOUT. THE TIRE TREAD WAS SHREDDED AND SEPARATED FROM THE TIRE, JUST AS IN THE SUV TIRES THAT ARE BEING RECALLED BY FIRESTONE. I BROUGHT THE TIRE TO A FIRESTONE/BRIDGESTONE DEALER FOR REPLACEMENT AND THEY DETERMINED THAT THE TIRE WAS NOT DEFECTIVE. THEY SAID I HAD PROBABLY RUN OVER A NAIL OR PIECE OF GLASS. I HAVE NEVER BEFORE SEEN A PUNCTURE CAUSE A TIRE TO SHRED THE WAY THIS ONE DID. IN LIGHT OF THE CURRENT FIRESTONE RECALL, I URGE YOU TO FORCE FIRESTONE/BRIDGESTONE TO EXPAND THE INVESTIGATION AND SCOPE OF THIS RECALL. IF POSSIBLE AND WARRANTED, I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE MY TIRES REPLACED. AT THE VERY LEAST. I WOULD LIKE TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE ONE TIRE THAT I HAD TO REPLACE MYSELF.( DOT NUMBER: ELF1JCE498 TIRE SIZE: P215/60/R1 )

NHTSA ID 729727 · filed Aug 31, 2000

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .